charlieDEAN’S Blog

Okay, here’s my list — all genres included — of my favorite reads in ‘2005. It looks like I’ll finish the year having read 48 books, counting all seven Chronicles of Narnia as one book. (My goal every year is 52). Of the books I’ve read, here’s how it breaks down by catagory:

So here’s the list in no particular order (except those with a star are “must reads”) — feel free to comment, complain or otherwise remark — or even better — post a comment and leave a link to your “best books of ‘05″ (I’ve provided links to posts of mine about these books.)

One of the gifts I got for Christmas was A Weekend on the Rocks — it’s a 2CD/1DVD set featuring Dave Matthews Band at Red Rocks Amphitheater outside of Denver, CO — the band did four shows there this summer near the end of their summer ‘05 tour.

Anyway — if possible, you must see the DVD version of Louisiana Bayou — it features Robert Randolph playing steel guitar. It’s a spectatuclar performance of a song that beforehand I thought mediocre. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a musician having such a good time playing music!

Here’s what I love about DMB — they love the music and they surround themselves by other musicians who love music in the same way they do. I don’t care what it is — art, construction — whatever — there is nothing better than watching people do what they love to do to the point that every note, every riff, every pause is laden with meaning and intent!

Okay, here’s my list — all genres included — of my favorite reads in ‘2005. It looks like I’ll finish the year having read 48 books, counting all seven Chronicles of Narnia as one book. (My goal every year is 52). Of the books I’ve read, here’s how it breaks down by catagory:

So here’s the list in no particular order (except those with a star are “must reads”) — feel free to comment, complain or otherwise remark — or even better — post a comment and leave a link to your “best books of ‘05″ (I’ve provided links to posts of mine about these books.)

One of the gifts I got for Christmas was A Weekend on the Rocks — it’s a 2CD/1DVD set featuring Dave Matthews Band at Red Rocks Amphitheater outside of Denver, CO — the band did four shows there this summer near the end of their summer ‘05 tour.

Anyway — if possible, you must see the DVD version of Louisiana Bayou — it features Robert Randolph playing steel guitar. It’s a spectatuclar performance of a song that beforehand I thought mediocre. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a musician having such a good time playing music!

Here’s what I love about DMB — they love the music and they surround themselves by other musicians who love music in the same way they do. I don’t care what it is — art, construction — whatever — there is nothing better than watching people do what they love to do to the point that every note, every riff, every pause is laden with meaning and intent!

I’m “working” two days this week (ran out of vacation time). Hardly anyone is here, and so I’ve planned to get some reading done — books finished so I can put them on my “Books read in 2005″ list (yes, it’s a sign of deep sickness that I keep such a list!). Anyway, I’m finishing up Flashbang (it’s definately a “must read.”).

He’s talking about actors here, but he could just as easily be talking about pastors:

“We are told not to need the acceptance of others, but we cannot gain or keep jobs without winning this acceptance. We are told applause is unhealthy while knowing full well that the lack of it is even more unhealthy because bills will not be paid. To the outside world, an actor being consumed with how he or she is presented may seem like pride while it is truly desperate survival. When successful, this usually becomes pride, and the vicious cycle continues.”

Wow, this really gets at the heart of an almost daily struggle in my soul!

I’m “working” two days this week (ran out of vacation time). Hardly anyone is here, and so I’ve planned to get some reading done — books finished so I can put them on my “Books read in 2005″ list (yes, it’s a sign of deep sickness that I keep such a list!). Anyway, I’m finishing up Flashbang (it’s definately a “must read.”).

He’s talking about actors here, but he could just as easily be talking about pastors:

“We are told not to need the acceptance of others, but we cannot gain or keep jobs without winning this acceptance. We are told applause is unhealthy while knowing full well that the lack of it is even more unhealthy because bills will not be paid. To the outside world, an actor being consumed with how he or she is presented may seem like pride while it is truly desperate survival. When successful, this usually becomes pride, and the vicious cycle continues.”

Wow, this really gets at the heart of an almost daily struggle in my soul!

For several years I’ve been sorely disappointed about Saturday Night Live, and I haven’t been able to figure out if it’s just because my tastes have changed or if it in fact is just not that funny anymore.

HOWEVER, the last two weeks (with Alec Baldwin and then Jack Black hosting) have made me laugh again like the good ‘ole days.

So, that being said, you MUST watch this clip (especially if you (a) are a fan of rap, (b) think that white guys rapping is ALWAYS good humor or (c) think that the Chronicles of Narnia are awesome.

For several years I’ve been sorely disappointed about Saturday Night Live, and I haven’t been able to figure out if it’s just because my tastes have changed or if it in fact is just not that funny anymore.

HOWEVER, the last two weeks (with Alec Baldwin and then Jack Black hosting) have made me laugh again like the good ‘ole days.

So, that being said, you MUST watch this clip (especially if you (a) are a fan of rap, (b) think that white guys rapping is ALWAYS good humor or (c) think that the Chronicles of Narnia are awesome.

I haven’t posted about his, because it’s a somewhat sensitive thing, but I’ve wanted to for a while, so here it is.

The day before Thanksgiving, my cousin Logan, who is a firefighter for the Atlanta Fire Department was battling an apartment fire when part of the roof blew off, and landed on him, knocking off his helmet and glove, resulting in second degree burns. It was all over the Atlanta news and even made some national news reports.

Logan is a hero. People talk about athletes giving “heroic” performances and I say it’s rubbish. There is nothing heroic about throwing, hitting or kicking a ball for a living. A hero puts his life on the line even when it’s of no direct benefit to him.

I know Logan is pretty self-conscious about his appearance, but I’m posting the pictures, because it really is the face of a hero. I’m proud to share the Dean name.

Again, listening to Toad the Wet Sprocket and this there’s this older song of theirs called “Hold Her Down,” and when it came out it was pretty controversial because of the content.

Basically, I it’s about a girl who’s been abused (emotionally? physically? sexually?) by men and now the singer, who is her friend is pissed because of what this man has done.

“I wanna die from all the hell that you’ve been through.”

What is righteous anger? I know that in my Christian life, I’ve been taught to be a nice guy, and yet as I’ve listened to this song for years, it’s always struck a chord with me (no pun inteneded), because it feels so right to be angry. As a Christian shouldn’t I be out-of-my-head-pissed about injustice? Shouldn’t it keep me awake at night that poor people are taken advantage of, women and children abused? And yet at night, I’m just concerned with how fast I can fall asleep deep under my Eddie Bauer down comforter.